New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-07
MANNING ON RETALIATION.
HOW SHALL THE UNITED STATES RESPOND
TO CANADAf

THE SECRETARY REVIEWS THE CASE AGAINST
GREAT BRITAIN AND SUBMITS BILL GIVING
THE PRESIDENT DISCRETIONARY POWER.
(nr rsLEoRAru TO THE rRrsuxaJ
WAsHrNGroN, Feb. 8.-Secretary Manning's reply
to the letter of Chairman Belmont asking for al ex.
preston of bis preferences" IN respect tr derent
measures pending in Congress- and begging him
to suggest any notifications" which he may
deem desirable" is an important docu-
ment. As was expected. Mr.. Mann.ie
submits the draft Of bill differ
ing from the one passed by the Senate by
virtually unanimous vote. and containing the main
features Of the Belmont bill and the German reso.
luton. Mr.. Manning declares that he Ought to
be and is /" for many reasons extremely reluctant
to discuss" the Senate bill. because any
comments he may make, seven If well
founded" may expoe him to inst
criticism" and then he proceeds to discuss"
the measure rather fully. The Secretary clearly is
Of the opinion that the Senate erred in rejecting the
Gormap amendment. which proposed to clothe the
President with power to prohibit the entrance into
the United States from Canada Of any locomotive
OF railway goods therein contained. There
is not much probability that majority of the
House Committee or of the House will agree with
Mr.. Manning as to the wisdom of such a provision.
Western representatives especially will oppose it
stubbOrnly the ground that il is not only wholly
unnecessary, but that its enforcement would do
more harm to the commercial interests of the Uni
ted States than to those of the Dominion Other
features of the bill proposed by Mr.. Manning, which
closely resembles the so-caled Belmont bill will pro-
woke opposition on both sides of the House. 1t re-
mains to be whether the Administration will bs
strong enough to carry through bill which it can
IL
vent any legislation. Many Congressmeus believe
that it is actuated solely by desire to accomplish
the latter object. Mr. Manning says:
Up to President Jacksons proclamation OF October 5.
$780, this Government had commercial privileges for
its vessels in Canadian ports From 1893 to 1880 British
policy notorousy excluded not only the vessels of tho
United States but all foreign vessels from the ports OF tho
British colonies this Continent After the treaty OF
Ghent the United endeavored by retaa,ory laws
counteract and change that policy In 1928 these
British ports again closed United States vessels,
and 9TH March, 1927 the President proclaimed
the ports of the United states closed to British vessels as
before.
From that beginning the privileges" of our YES
sells In Canadian ports and will be observed that the
British and the American laws aud President Jacksons
proclamation all used the word "vessels' without any
qualifying adjective excluding our fishing vessels The
United States has treaty with Great Britain to reg'
late commerce with her colonies this continent To be
sure the arrangement OF 1880 was not in a technical
sense treaty from the engagements OF which neither
party can withdraw without the consent OF the other
amicaby obtained but 1t TO be rule for two power
full States. 1t was pact representing the Will and
opinions of EACH 1t deliberate international act
What we are now confronted by Is the royal assent
given by the Queen In council November 26, 1885, to
the Canadian act entitled An act further TO amend the
respecting fisheries by foreign vessels The offensive
significance Of law is in the fact that by the statute
establishing the Canadian Union. the GovernorGcnerai
must act according his discretion but subject to the
Queens instructions bills passed by the Houses OF the
Canadian Parliament he may reserve bill for the
adjudication OF the Queens pleasure. The lastnamed
alternative phrase revival In Canada OF the theory OF
the ancient British Hoveng act long ago repealed In the
mother country. The Canadian act thus having tho
royal approval, intended, as has been openly
avowed to forfeit any American fishing vessel which Is
found having entered Canadian waters or tho port OF
Halifax TO buy Ice bait other articles or for any pr
pose other than shelter repairs wood, or water Tho
plea Is that the treaty OF 1918 permits AMI stpuate for
such legislation That we deny, and reply that such
legislation Is repeal and annulment by England OF the
arrangement made in $780, and to that repeal we are
entitled to respond by similar repeal OF own law,
and by refusal hereafter and while debate or negoua-
ton goes on to confer hospitality or any privileges
whatever in ports Canadian vessels or boats OF
any sort. violation of comfy may be looked upon as
an nnfriendly act but NOT cause Tor Just war Eng
the comfy and courtesy will sho In the pre-
sent case do propose retaliation simply re-
spond. We too. suspend comfy and hospitality
What shall be the character and limitations OF the re-
sponsel cannot believe that tho Government at Lon.
don will persist in Its present course unless inspired for
occult reason by purpose to break friendly rei
mercy OF its colony II the Senate bill shall become
law, and the President shall issue his proclamation there
under It's effect will be TO exclude from Importation Tan
adan goods, such certain kinds OF hs lumber,
animals, etc. TO the amount Of about " 600 annually
and also OF reducing the revenue-oy preventing me I'M
portati0n OF Canadian dutiaDe products such as unyee
breadstus. hsh etc. In annual value say SzZoooooo
II is much TO be regretted that medieval tariff laws
like that e sgsS SiF aes w1en or s Ssv none
intercourse policy. like that OF the Dominion OF Canada,
approved the Queen in Council on the threshold OK
Her Majestys Jubilee year. should be the divided disgrace
civilization Both are obstacles % thas
dred blood Of one great heritage of social order language.
laws and civil liberty which Is leading mere ia ana pro-
noting everywhere FROM century 10 century, the lhcrea
ing progress OF the human race.
Secretary Manning then submits 10 tho comnittee!a
bill entitled An act to enable the President to protect
aud defend the rights and privileges OF vessels OF the
United staes After rectng the causes that led up 70
the present troubles the bill says:
Section l. That whenever the President shall be satisfied
that vessela of the tinted states are by British Canadian
authority denied or abridged In the reasonable OF
coast, sSy ssts sr IL daasas ports rights PRIVILEGES
hn shss' s%is his discseiica Se lawful scrsioa
s the s sSS Of 4s hs
vessel owned wholly or in part by subject OF er M M "a h
%sy ant Of sSE or or ne
bether directly or having touched at any other poI ex
cepng sa DC distress OF navigation ana OF
supplies therefor aud every vessel thus e1
ced from ports OF the United States !hat sha entei
In violation OF this act shil
Ss S:s sslsa as5 .sis d
recovered Of the person or persons making OK
attempting make entry. $1,000, ,..
Sectson That shall his discretion be lawful for the
eTer he Shall be ssded is hereof de-
c,rea TO prohb by the entry importation,
or hrnpnx INTO any collection place IN the United
states Of goods merchandise from e aore-
said uominon Of canada or New Foundland OF any ocomo
tive car or other from the Dominion OF Canaa out
lie President may in Apply such proclamatlons
to any part all OF tho thags or articles herein
named aud may qualify, limit, resclnd, OF .e
new the application thereof and all sooaS
locomotives cars. or oter Veness
imnored OF brought ed TO be imported or orousnt
into the Cned States contrary 10 the provisions Oh 'ns
oct snail . elzed the United States OF ho
vslne OF the person OF persons 80 I'M
seetoS Any person who shall violate any Of the proc
iamstion Of the President made In pursaanoe